Going to en Grèce: Formalities and administrative steps

Organize your stay en Grèce

Money Money en Grèce

Greece is a member of the Eurozone, as is France. You will easily find counters to withdraw money.

Budget & Tips Budget & Tips en Grèce

The prices of accommodation can vary from simple to double between June or September and August. No need to bargain. But a discount is sometimes offered if you pay in cash..

Passport and visas Passport and visas en Grèce

For European Union citizens, the identity card is sufficient or the passport (even if it has expired less than five years ago)

Driver's license Driver's license en Grèce

A national driving license (not to be forgotten if you plan to rent a car or a motorcycle) or an international driving license as well as the green insurance card if you come by car.

Health Health en Grèce

If there are no particular risks, except for the heat and mosquito bites, you should still bring your European Health Insurance Card to be treated if necessary. You will also find lists of French-speaking doctors on the French Embassy website (https://gr.ambafrance.org/Liste-de-medecins-et-pharmacies-francophones).

Mandatory vaccination Mandatory vaccination en Grèce

No vaccinations are required, just make sure your vaccination record (DT Polio, etc.) is up to date.

Security Security en Grèce

If Greece remains a safe country, with ordinary criminality, the danger comes, in our opinion, mainly from the road safety.

Time difference Time difference en Grèce

GMT + 2: 1 hour difference with France. When it is noon in Paris, it is 1pm in Athens, in winter as in summer.

Spoken languages Spoken languages en Grèce

The national language is modern Greek, but most Greeks, especially in tourism, have some knowledge of English. Some of them also have a very good command of French.

Communication Communication en Grèce

Greeks are also addicted to their cell phones and the coverage is very good. You will often find free wifi in cafes and hotels.

Electricity and measurements Electricity and measurements en Grèce

Greece is connected to 220 volts AC, 50 Hz like the rest of continental Europe. We also speak here in meters, kilometers, and in grams, kilograms

Luggage Luggage en Grèce

Don't be unnecessarily burdened when packing your bags for Greece. The watchword is "travel light", especially if you want a cheaper ticket!

Daily life en Grèce

Hello? Hello? en Grèce

From your cell phone, you will be able to use your package for calls and SMS in your country of residence (Europe) or in Greece. When calling, dial +33 followed by the phone number without the first 0 to call France. For Greece it is +30.

Accessibility Accessibility en Grèce

The fate of disabled people and strollers is unfortunately not a priority in Greece, far from it. This results in a reduced accessibility, especially in all public transport, trains and local buses. In Athens, however, there is finally access to the most recent metro stations and some important tourist sites such as the Acropolis. On the sea side, ferries and other boats are not always very accessible either: on the big ferries, access is theoretically assured for all, but in practice, it is another story (the escalators used to get on the boat are deactivated when it comes to disembarking...). Elevators are provided, but they do not necessarily serve all the floors of the ferries.

Health Health en Grèce

If there are no particular risks, except for the heat and mosquito bites, you should still bring your European Health Insurance Card to be treated if necessary. You can also find lists of French-speaking doctors on the French Embassy website (https://gr.ambafrance.org/Liste-de-medecins-et-pharmacies-francophones).

Emergency numbers Emergency numbers en Grèce

Single number for emergencies available free of charge in the European Union: 112

Tourist Police (telephone communication in Greek, English, French and German to solve problems encountered by domestic and foreign tourists): 1517

Anti-terrorist unit: 10 14 or 104 14

First aid: 166

SOS doctors (free call, paid visit): 10 16

Fire department: 199

Securty Securty en Grèce

Petty crimes such as pickpocketing and purse snatching are committed. Tourists are frequently targeted.

Greek Police:

100Many beaches in Greece are guarded and have excellent security procedures. However, tidal changes and strong winds can cause dangerous undertows. Also, avoid putting your feet or hands on coral, sea urchins, jellyfish or other toxic aquatic life, as this can lead to poisoning, stings or infections.

LGBTQ LGBTQ en Grèce

Sexual acts between men were decriminalized in Greece in 1951, and since 2005, discrimination in the workplace because of a person's sexual orientation is prohibited. Since 2010 a law protects trans people from discrimination. However, several homophobic or transphobic attacks committed by sympathizers of the extreme right-wing neo-Nazi party Golden Dawn are to be deplored. The Gay Pride week in Mykonos, in August, is the biggest gay event of the year in Greece and one of the most important European Gay Pride events.

Embassies and consulates Embassies and consulates en Grèce

Embassy of France in Greece: 7, Vasilisis Sofias Avenue, 106 71 Athens + 30 210 33 91 000

Information on opening hours: Athens + 30 210 33 91 200, Thessaloniki + 30 2310 244 030/031

Mail Mail en Grèce

You will easily find a post office. A violet stamp of 1,65 € allows you to frank your letters towards France, with a routing in three days generally.

Local media Local media en Grèce

Founded in 1919, I Kathimerini ( "The Daily") is considered one of the most serious newspapers in the country, a reference among Greek media for its coverage of national and international politics. Conservative and center-right, it offers an English version

www.aroundpelion.com : site rich in practical and historical information with interesting descriptions to prepare your trip.